BRIDGEPORT-Fearing that the primary may be decided by a few votes, Ganim’s campaign has asked the Registrar of Voters office to pay close attention to the absentee ballots.

Late Friday, Daniel Roach, Ganim’s campaign manager, sent a letter to Santa Ayala, the Democratic registrar, to conduct supervised balloting.

“Whereas past primaries and elections in Bridgeport have been wrought with allegations and charges of absentee ballot fraud, I hereby request that your office conduct supervised balloting in complexes that have 20 or more requests for absentee ballots,” Roach wrote.

Ayala could not be reached for comment late Friday.

Meanwhile, Av Harris, a spokesman for Secretary of State Denise Merrill, said the State Elections Enforcement commission is empowered to investigate complaints about alleged fraud with any aspect of voting including absentee ballots.

“If Mr. Ganim or anyone else suspects foul play with absentee ballots, they are free to file complaints with the state elections enforcement commission.”

However, Roach is looking to stave off any problems.

“Historically Bridgeport has seen elections where a candidate wins on the machine vote but loses by a lopsided absentee ballot count,” he said. “After what happened in the nominating convention, we have some concerns and just want to make sure the primary vote is taken on a level playing field.”

One of their concerns is Lydia Martinez, a councilwoman running on Mayor Bill Finch’s slate as town clerk.

Martinez, who some in the media have dubbed the “absentee ballot queen,” was fined $500 for assisting a Harborview Towers resident in completing a ballot in the 2009 primary.

Martinez said Friday she’s not involved in the absentee ballot applications in this primary.

“What I am doing is knocking on doors and making phone calls,” she said. “If someone tells me they want an application I will send someone from the office to get it.”

As for Ganim’s concerns, she said they should “worry about

their people.”

Maryli Secrest, Finch’s campaign spokeswoman, was not immediately available for comment.